NUNICA, Mich. (WZZM)—Construction of the new M-231 bypass in Ottawa County hit a milestone Thursday morning.

Crews with the Michigan Department of Transportation set steel beams for the bridge crossing the Grand River, as part of the new highway. Workers previously finished laying an asphalt base for the bypass from M-104 south to Cypress Street.

M-231 will connect Interstate 96 to Lake Michigan Drive, providing an alternative north-south route to driving through Grand Haven on U.S. 31. The bypass is expected to open to traffic in the spring of 2016.

Construction crews lay the beams for the bridge over the Grand River.(Photo: Peter Ross, WZZM 13)

Construction crews lay the beams for the bridge over the Grand River.(Photo: Peter Ross, WZZM 13)